Is Atheism an open minded viewpoint?

[Termin]

 

It is clearly logical if you start with the premise that god exists.  Our civilization is built on that concept.  We are just trying to change the premise.  That is the religious viewpoint.

   You are speaking of justification, not logic.

[Givemeareason]

  What are they against awesome parties ? :) .. Just kidding

  Could you be a bit more specific in your question ?

Oh, it's nothing really.  It's just that we have this huge backlash going on with religion again.  When I was young it seemed to me that it had sort of died down. For example, my biology teacher in high school had no problem teaching evolution even though he was deeply religious.  Now that this issue has again become such a divisive issue the flames are being fanned from every direction.  I see religion as something that needs to be re-absorbed into society.  The need for it clearly still exists.  So here we are still trying to reconcile the differences.  Religion just needs to continue evolving and we need to be tolerant as best we can.

[Givemeareason]

   You are speaking of justification, not logic.

So is religion still justifiable?

[Givemeareason]

   You are speaking of justification, not logic.

We are both still amoebas.  What' our next step if we don't first go extinct?

[Desdinova]

The need for it clearly still exists.

Why does it need to exist?  Give me a reason "Givemeareason".

[Mike Cl]

  I see religion as something that needs to be re-absorbed into society.  The need for it clearly still exists. 

Really.  What needs do you see that it addresses.

[doorknob]

I disagree strongly. I see religion as being nonsense and illogical in all it's fallacies. I'm gonna call bullshit here as I see religion as a hindrance in every sense. It is graffiti of the mind. Beautiful minds become desecrated by religion.

I see religion as unnecessary an in fact it needs to be abolished. Look at how much progress has been stifled by religion! Who knows where we'd be if people read biology instead of the bible. Or hell even Harry Potter would be less of a waist of time!

[Hydra009]

It is clearly logical if you start with the premise that god exists.  Our civilization is built on that concept.

Not sure what you mean about "our civilization".  Many civilizations have existed historically and multiple civilizations are around today.

If you're talking about Western civilization (sort of a misnomer, since it's not actually a civilization but a set of political and social norms), theism in general and Christianity in particular is long-standing and widespread.  But you know what else was long-standing and widespread?  Slavery.  Human and animal sacrifice.  Belief in magic.  Monarchism. 

Things change.

We are just trying to change the premise.

We are trying to change the social order, yes.  And for good reason.  The superstitions of the past ill suit the present, let alone the future.  And their old prejudices and judgments - considered backwards even by their contemporaries - are even less attractive.

[Givemeareason]

Why does it need to exist?  Give me a reason "Givemeareason".

To address the needs of humans.  It relieves them from fear and offers them a sense of belonging. The same reasons it offered when early humans were struggling to survive.  Many of us haven't changed that much.  How otherwise could we address their needs?

[Givemeareason]

I disagree strongly. I see religion as being nonsense and illogical in all it's fallacies. I'm gonna call bullshit here as I see religion as a hindrance in every sense. It is graffiti of the mind. Beautiful minds become desecrated by religion.

I see religion as unnecessary an in fact it needs to be abolished. Look at how much progress has been stifled by religion! Who knows where we'd be if people read biology instead of the bible. Or hell even Harry Potter would be less of a waist of time!

Many people don't want to be educated.  They like things simple.  And the way US society seems to be moving, ignorance is on the rise.  We need to address that problem first.

[Desdinova]

To address the needs of humans.  It relieves them from fear and offers them a sense of belonging. The same reasons it offered when early humans were struggling to survive.  Many of us haven't changed that much.  How otherwise could we address their needs?

Fear of what?  Please explain.

A sense of belonging can be achieved without religion.  Join a book club.

Early humans did not have the scientific knowledge we have know.  We know why earthquakes happen, and its not because a god is displeased.  This point holds no credence.

We as a species are entirely different than early humans.  We HAVE changed that much.

[Givemeareason]

Not sure what you mean about "our civilization".  Many civilizations have existed historically and multiple civilizations are around today.

If you're talking about Western civilization (sort of a misnomer, since it's not actually a civilization but a set of political and social norms), theism in general and Christianity in particular is long-standing and widespread.  But you know what else was long-standing and widespread?  Slavery.  Human and animal sacrifice.  Belief in magic.  Monarchism. 

Things change.
We are trying to change the social order, yes.  And for good reason.  The superstitions of the past ill suit the present, let alone the future.  And their old prejudices and judgments - considered backwards even by their contemporaries - are even less attractive.

Civilization is global.  The majority are still superstitious.  Wouldn't it be easier to influence irrational superstitions first and then move on to tearing down the greatest religion in the world.  That is what we are doing.  Progress is being made.  Some of us atheists just need to grasp the bigger picture.

[Termin]

So is religion still justifiable?

  This question is not relevant to the topic at hand which was.

It is clearly logical if you start with the premise that god exists.  Our civilization is built on that concept.  We are just trying to change the premise.  That is the religious viewpoint.

   It is never logical to begin with an unsubstantiated premise.

 

[Givemeareason]

Fear of what?  Please explain.

A sense of belonging can be achieved without religion.  Join a book club.

Early humans did not have the scientific knowledge we have know.  We know why earthquakes happen, and its not because a god is displeased.  This point holds no credence.

We as a species are entirely different than early humans.  We HAVE changed that much.

The big questions (Why am I here, etc.) remain unanswered.  Some people like to have everything spelled out for them.  Religion gives them that.

[Termin]

.  Religion just needs to continue evolving and we need to be tolerant as best we can.

I thought you were an Athiest ?